Around 200 drivers and conductors who work for South Yorkshire Supertram on the Sheffield Supertram network, and who are members of the trade union Unite, are undertaking strike action today (Monday 9 July 2018) in a dispute over pay.
Unite members working at South Yorkshire Supertram voted 91% in favour of strike action and 95% voted for industrial action short of a strike.
The 24-hour strike action, which commenced today at 1am, is the result of a rejected three-year pay deal that was offered in May 2018 by South Yorkshire Supertram. According to Unite, the proposed pay offer equated to a pay increase of just £0.26 an hour for each year of the pay deal.
Drivers and conductors working at the 48-stop light tram system will take additional strike action on Thursday 12 July 2018 for a further 24 hours from 1am.
Steve Clark, regional coordinating officer at Unite, said: “Our members have seen through the smoke and mirrors conjured up by the management, which amount to a £0.26 an hour increase in the first year, £0.26 in the second year and potentially less than that in year three.
“In these inflationary times, our members want a decent pay rise, not one that borders on the insulting. We predict that the Sheffield Supertram system will be paralysed on the two days of strike action.
“We appreciate that this will cause inconvenience to the travelling Sheffield public, which we deeply regret. And as we understand the impact on the network, our door is open 24/7 for talks with the management to reach a fair settlement. However, unless the [organisation] comes up with a substantial cash offer for our hardworking members, more strike action during July is definitely on the cards.”
South Yorkshire Supertram was unavailable for comment at the time of publication.